BBI defeat is victory for Ruto, but it's too early to celebrate

President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) at the Bomas of Kenya.[Rebecca Nduku, DPPS]

When the BBI started a few years ago, it looked like a passing cloud; a détente between two erstwhile bitter political adversaries that would, typically Kenyan-style, not outlive the warmth of their Handshake. No one could have foreseen its invasion of the public lives of politicians much less, private lives of ordinary citizens. Yet it has forced all to take sides in what is clearly a precursor to next year’s national elections.